Need outweighed discomfort as people lined up during a drizzle-filled day Saturday on the Civic Center Mall in downtown Toledo for the annual Tent City event.

Brightly colored blankets were made available through Love Squared, a nonprofit collecting knitted blankets and squares to give to children.

“They put a lot of love in these blankets,” said Tequilla Walker, whose children walked away warmer.

Alexander Walker-Brent, 3, beamed his smile through Tent City, swaddled by the white, green, and red crocheted gift he received.

“Everyone needs to come down here. It’s nice to see everyone together,” Ms. Walker said.

For more than 30 years, Tent City, put together by the nonprofit 1Matters, has offered free meals, clothing, and medical attention to anyone in need with the support of more than 60 partners.

The event kicked off Friday afternoon and, following a full slate of activities Saturday, concludes with a church service Sunday morning.

“The main objective is to connect our guests with the services that we have in the community and to fulfill their immediate needs,” said Mike Clark, a volunteer and organizer with 1Matters.

Flu shots, medical physicals, haircuts, free clothing, and meals are all hallmarks of the event, but new this year was the introduction of mental health services in the form of outreach, assessments, and appointment setting.

Hundreds showed up for the event despite the colder weather.

“I spent the whole weekend down here,” Jim Cervenec, 72, of Perrysburg Township, said.

Mr. Cervenec, who has been a tent city veteran for over 10 years, showed up for the medical health screenings but stuck around to help out.

“It’s amazing being a volunteer,” Nate Staples, 32, said, who was in a similar circumstance.

After setting up tables and chairs for the medical tent, Mr. Staples was able to get a flu shot for the upcoming season and apply for Section 8 housing.

Another resident applying for housing through the event, Maxine Stokes, 51, of North Toledo, works as a janitor but needed some extra help because of a past eviction.

Since the eviction over a decade ago, she’s been living with friends and family but was happy to get connected to some resources through Tent City to help her manage her living situation.

“I actually have fun here,” Efremisha Smith, 22, of South Toledo, said. “Everyone treats you like family.

“I got a birth certificate, got clothes and shoes,” she said as she modeled her gently used Nike kicks.

“Birth certificates are one of the big ones for us,” Mr. Clark said. “We had around 100 available this year, and we distributed them all within the first hour and a half. If you're living on the street, you don't really have a good place to keep all your critical documents.”

Losing documents like birth certificates prevents getting identification that can stand in the way of getting a job, applying for housing, or any number of other applications for basic needs.

Mr. Clark mentioned that the event wasn’t solely for homeless people but was for anyone who needed help.

“Be part of the community,” he said. “We want to fulfill your need that you have.”

First Published October 21, 2023, 10:12 p.m.